Qatar coup

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32848, 23 February 1972, Page 17

Qatar coup

(N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) DHUBAI, February 22. A coup d’etat has taken place in Qatar, a sheikhdom in the Persian Gulf, it was announced in a broadcast by Radio Doha monitored in Dhubai today, Agence FrancePresse reported. The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Khalifa Ben Hamad al Thani, seized power today in “the interests of the country” and with “the support and the blessing of the reigning family,” Radio Doha said. The radio communique did not say what had happened to the deposed ruler of this Persian (Arabian) Gulf emirate, Sheikh Ahmed Ben Ali Ben Abdullah al Thani. The emirate of Qatar, previously linked with Britain under a treaty by which London was responsible for its defence and foreign affairs, became independent on September 1, 1971. The previous treaty was replaced by a treaty of friendship with the. British Government

Salaries of ail civil servants and State employees were also increased by 20 per cent Besides his post of Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalifa until today controlled the finance and petroleum portfolios and was acting foreign minister. Three decrees promulgated by Sheikh Khalifa were broadcast over the radioThey gave all officers and men of the Qatar armed forces a 20 per cent increase in pay and cancelled repayment instalments owed to the State by Qatar nationals on low-cost housing.